Bangladesh police charge Hasina, 62 others in two Jatrabari cases

Police have submitted charge sheets against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 62 others in two cases involving a murder and an attempted murder during unrest in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area in July 2024.

Investigators also recommended that 105 other people be discharged from the cases after finding insufficient evidence of their involvement, according to police.

In one case, investigation officer Ibrahim Khalil submitted charges against 30 people, including Hasina, on July 27 over the shooting of Tolaram College student Nadim. Investigators recommended discharging 66 others.

According to the case statement, Nadim joined the anti-discrimination movement near Rayerbagh bus stand in Jatrabari on July 19, 2024. Gunfire erupted as protesters came under attack, and Nadim was shot in the left knee. The bullet passed through his leg, and he later recovered following treatment.

Nadim filed the case against Hasina and 93 others on Oct. 6, 2024. A hearing on whether to accept the charge sheet is scheduled for Sept. 19.

In the second case, investigation officer Mahmudul Hasan Irfan submitted charges Aug. 13 against 33 people, including Hasina, over the death of construction worker Md Babul Mridha. Investigators recommended discharging 39 others.

The case statement says Mridha was shot July 19, 2024, after leaving home to search for his son, Abu Taleb, who had joined the student movement in Jatrabari.

Mridha underwent treatment at several hospitals before dying at Combined Military Hospital on Sept. 9, 2024, 52 days after the shooting. His wife, Seema Begum, filed the murder case Nov. 19, 2024.

Several former ministers, senior police officials, political leaders, and former lawmakers are also among those charged.